Page 9 of The Lyon’s Paw

Instantly, Geoffrey regretted his words. They were, of course, true. The lady’s cousins had spent the past year spreading vicious rumors about Miss Edgerton, implying that she and her uncle had been carrying on a torrid affair and that was the reason he’d left all his considerable fortune to her. The rumors had come to Geoffrey’s ears even before he met her last June, although he’d immediately dismissed them as rather nasty sour grapes offered by relatives who hadn’t attended the uncle while he was alive yet expected to be compensated at his death. He’d no regard whatsoever for Miss Edgerton now, still he wouldn’t disparage her virtue when he didn’t believe the claims to be true. “I beg your pardon, Miss Edgerton. That was ungallant of me. I did hear the rumors that were put about, however I wish to assure you that I put no credence in their allegations whatsoever. I would not wish you to think I did so.”

Miss Edgerton’s cheeks regained a bit of the color they’d lost, and she nodded at him, although she did not meet his eyes.

“And now ladies, I will take my leave of you. Mrs. Dove-Lyons, always a pleasure, madam. Mrs. Beaumont,” he nodded to the aunt. “Miss Edgerton. Good afternoon.” Geoffrey bowed and left the room closing the door, just slow enough that he heard Miss Edgerton’s whispered words.

“You know, Aunt Frances, there’s more than one reason why they’re calling him Toad Longford.”

After an unsatisfactory meal with Thomas—the food was excellent, however the conversation about Thomas’s indiscretion regarding Mrs. Dove-Lyons and Geoffrey’s financial predicament was less than appetizing—Geoffrey arrived back home at Longford House in Grosvenor Square, wondering when and how he was going to tell his mother they would need to give up the London property—nearly all the properties in fact. How he’d do that, though, was the pressing question. The when had to be soon. The next quarter’s bills would be due on January first and according to Mr. Folger, all the properties would need to be sold in order to meet all the debts. That didn’t give him much time at all to facilitate all the sales.

Over dinner Thomas had brought up the names of several young ladies, and some not so young, who all had fortunes enough that if Geoffrey married them, his monetary woes would be at an end. Geoffrey had staunchly shot down each and every suggestion, always with the same thought: if he could sell enough of the properties, he could stem the tide of money that was going out of his coffers with the speed and malevolence of a storm-tossed wave crashing onto the shore.

Something within him fought harder than ever, protesting the idea of marrying a young woman of whom he had no knowledge and for whom he had no tender feelings whatsoever. Arranged marriages had gone out of fashion and although Geoffrey was not known for setting any fashion trends, he was certain that marrying for love was a much better proposition than tying himself to a person he didn’t know. His parents’ marriage had been arranged to an extent, although they’d met one another before the betrothal. How Father had managed to come to terms with his headstrong wife until they actually fell in love was a mystery to Geoffrey. Had he known what was in store for him, he’d have asked his father for advice on how to navigate marriage with a stranger.

Thomas had been incredibly lucky to have married a lady he knew not at all, but one he had eventually fallen in love with. Geoffrey did not trust that he would be so lucky. The times had changed in favor of love matches, and for once Geoffrey intended to go with the times.

He let himself in the white framed doorway, touching the brass lion’s head as he always did when entering, gave his hat and coat to the butler, then headed for the family drawing room. His mother and sister were likely there taking tea after their dinner. They had come to Town with him in order to visit with friends of his mother’s, in preparation for Joanna’s come out in the spring. An event that now might have to be postponed.

By all rights he should go on and tell them the situation. He’d not been unlucky at the tables at The Lyon’s Den, but he also knew he didn’t have enough skill at cards to win the fortune he needed. Neither was he willing to wager his last remaining funds on the odd wagers for which The Lyon’s Den was famous.

So he was back to economizing to the bone and selling the minor properties, hoping they fetched enough capital to keep them afloat until the next crops came in. They could postpone Joanna’s come out for another year.

He hated like hell to do that to her. She’d been looking forward to her Season ever since he could remember. Two years ago, she’d interrogated Alyce, the middle child, every night when she came out, wanting every particular about the gowns, the dances, the décor, the suitors. She’d almost driven Alyce to distraction with her incessant questions until Geoffrey suspected Alyce married simply so she could move out of the house.

In his heart, however, Geoffrey had to admit his youngest sister had always been his favorite. Seeing her bright spirit around the house every day had helped him immeasurably after their father’s untimely death. They’d all been devastated, but Joanna had borne it better than any of them, comforting them all with her serene presence and unfailingly hopeful manner every day.

If he had to postpone her Season, she’d be sorely disappointed, but would accept the decree, he was certain, with her usual poise. She’d take it in her stride. And he would make sure next year, there would be enough money to bring her out properly.

Geoffrey shook thoughts of his sister’s woebegone face out of his mind as he climbed the stairs to the first floor and headed toward the large, comfortable blue drawing room from which he could hear Joanna playing a spritely tune on the pianoforte. She did dearly love to play and was excellent at the instrument. He’d love nothing so much as to sit down, have Mother pour him a cup of tea, and relax as Joanna played one of her pieces by Handel. But if he did that, he wouldn’t have the heart afterward to give them the devastating news. And once he imparted to them the truth about their dire circumstances, there would be no peace for any of them.

Still, he would at least enjoy one cup of tea before allowing the sword of Damocles to descend on all of them. “Good evening, Mother. That is a very pretty tune, Joanna.” Geoffrey seated himself beside his mother and accepted a cup of tea with one lump of sugar only. “Is that a new piece? I don’t think I’ve heard it before.”

“Good evening, Geoffrey.” Mother presented her cheek, which he kissed, then sat back with his tea, trying to relax for a few minutes at least.

“It’s a Scottish song, ‘Music, Love and Wine,’ by Mr. Beethoven.” Joanna looked up from the keyboard of the pianoforte, all smiles. “I borrowed it from Clarissa Johnstone and will start copying it tomorrow. But I couldn’t wait to hear it, so I started playing it as soon as we came home.” She looked at him thoughtfully. “Will you come and sing it with me? It is in two parts.”

Before Geoffrey could even open his mouth, his sister had jumped up from the piano and thrown her arms around him. “Pleeeease, Geoffrey? It would be so much fun to sing a duet with you again. We’ve not done it in ages.”

Well, he’d known as soon as she asked, he would give in. Considering that he’d be denying her something of much more importance, performing with her was the least he could do. “Very well, but can we please begin tomorrow? I am more than a little fatigued.” He patted her arm. “Let me just hear you play this evening.”

“Yes, yes, of course, Geoffrey.” She squeezed his neck, then hurried back to the instrument and began the tune again.

His mother saw her chance with him at last and asked, “How was your dinner with Thomas?”

“Not as enjoyable as they usually are.” Geoffrey kept his gaze on his cup as he sipped. “There were some topics we touched on in which we differed significantly.”

“Well, I’m certain you two will come to an accord soon. You’ve never had a falling out of any consequence since you were born.” His mother smiled her amused smile, still most likely seeing him and Thomas as lads of eight or nine instead of the twenty-eight years they were now. “I’ll invite him to dinner while he’s in London. Then you’ll both have to behave in front of Joanna and me.”

“I’m certain Thomas would love to see you, Mother.” At least he could rely on his friend not to scold or harangue him in front of his family. Unlike their dinner tonight. “You must send an invitation to him soon, however. I don’t think he means to linger long in Town. He dislikes being away from his wife and the twins.”

“How is dear Honoria? Are the babies well?”

Before Geoffrey could assure her that they were all in the best of health, Vickers, the butler, entered bearing a silver tray with a letter on it. “Pardon me, my lord. This just came for you.”

Geoffrey took the letter, noting the unfamiliar handwriting and immediately assumed it was another creditor informing him of a sum owed that would likely make him cringe. Well, the man could bloody well get in line. He popped off the red seal of wax and unfolded the missive. Two lines in, his eye shot to the signature and his jaw clenched. His heart raced but Geoffrey fought to remain as outwardly calm as possible. “Thank you, Vickers.” He glanced up at the servant, who showed no sign of distress. “Are they waiting for an answer?”

“No, my lord.”

Thank God. “Then that is all. Mother, I must answer this at once. Will you forgive me?”